Watch your words.

Have you ever been disgusted by how some people speak? Either they can't complete a sentence without some sort of profanity or vulgarity spewing out or are constantly complaining or angry about something. Always focusing on the negative aspects of everything and never uttering any kind words towards themselves or others. It's a complete lack of respect and understanding of the power that our words hold. Words can lift us up or bring us down. They can alter our attitudes, feelings, and perspectives on ourselves, others, and the world around us. 

For such a long time I wasn't aware at just how powerful our words are. Whether we speak them out loud or they are swirling around inside our brains, they still contain within them this incredibly powerful, magical ability to literally change anything within a moment. For example, say that you are having like the best day and then encounter someone who tells you that your hair looks like crap or is overly harsh and critical of something that you worked hard on. Your best day ever suddenly comes to a halt and those harsh words directed at you drastically impact your attitude and feelings. It works the opposite way as well. Words can turn the worst day ever into the best!

It's also important to take into consideration the tone in which we speak and being mindful of the frequencies of words and how it affects us. I feel that even harsh words that are spoken and meant to be encouraging or positive, still contain an undertone of negativity. Like if someone gives you a compliment by saying something like "That was a great f#*@in' job!", while it sounds like a compliment, it leaves one with this slightly negative vibe or at least it does for me. So, I began to really pay attention to not only the words but how they left me feeling.

Awhile back, I had stumbled upon etymology, which is the study of the origin, meaning, and transformation of words throughout the course of history. For example, the word nice, does not mean what you might think it does. It originally came from the Latin word "nescius", which means "ignorant" or "not knowing" and continued for some time to hold negative connotations such as "stupid", "foolish", "weak", and "clumsy" to name a few. It wasn't until the late 14th century that it began to transform into a more positive, pleasant meaning that we associate with it today. 

Well, things started to make a little more sense on why I felt that certain words, even though spoken with no ill intentions, still left me with this not great feeling. Nice is a great example of this. Think about how one really uses the word nice, often using it to describe something that isn't fantastic or great, it's just nice. We often use it because we're not 100% loving whatever it is that we are referring to as nice. If you just kind of sit with the word and really get in-tune with how it makes you feel, it doesn't feel great to be called nice. 

This is why it is so important to watch our words spoken to ourselves and others. Words literally speak things into and can alter our reality. After I had left an extremely abusive relationship, I didn't speak very kindly to myself. I'd think thoughts or worthlessness and speak words of hopelessness, and my reality reflected it, not only in myself but those around me. Once I began to be diligent and careful with not only what I thought but with what and how I spoke, life began to change before my very eyes. I lifted myself out of depression and the black pit of despair that I as in. Slowly and surely my confidence and strength returned. I spoke love back into my life and love is now what I see when I look into the mirror in front of and all around me. 

So, if you truly want to change and create a better life for yourself and others, watch your words. Chose them intentionally and carefully. Truly understand what you are saying and always be kind. Speak only from a place of love and compassion to yourself and others. I promise, it'll be a great transformation for you, others, and ultimately the world. Because from my point of view, speaking love is how we actually start to see the changes we really want reflected back at us. 

Much Love, 

Kira